Things to Do Today

I love to read things like this. Not because its a fast and easy read, but because the interpretation of the list is up to the reader. Such as "get the fuck out (i.e., get to fuck)". I took me a while to figure out what he meant, but I think I figured it out. I believe hes talking about getting having sex, how everybody wants to do it and how everyone should just go for it . I really enjoyed going over the list and trying to figure out what each one could possibly mean.

I believe the author was trying to convey a message in a humorous way. "mourn the continuing success of the Snack Area" or "make the beautiful go to work". To me it seems like he is talking about the unhealthy food they serve in concessions around America and the rich and famous beautiful Americans that dont really have to do to get by in life. While he doesn't explain these statements in details you can get a general sense of what he means.

My favorite one is #78 "scrape the forgotten music from the great stadiums it accidentally built and failed to keep up". Its my favorite because its one that I strongly agree with. Music isnt what it once was, or at least thats what im told. I wasnt around for the Jimmy Hendrixes and Bob Marleys, but I hear their music today and stories of the things they did for the industries and our cultures makes the music we have today seem horrible.

Naomi Shihab Nye's "Mint Snowball"

Im from Illinois too, Chicago, so this story caught my attention really fast. The entire time I read it, I thought of my mom growing up there with her family. My mom has told me many stories about her hometown and I remember each one, maybe for the same reason the author remember the mint snowball.

I dont know if my great grandfather owned a store, I actually dont know much about him, but my grandfather was an important part of my moms life, along with my aunts and uncles. My mom says he had the best cooking she ever tasted, then and now. She describes his food  the same way the author described her great-grandfathers, with ALOT of detail. Such as when the author described the process of the Mint Snowball, "He concoted an flamboyant elixir of mint" or "The scoops of rich vanilla ice cream to each side". I dont think anyone can read that and honestly say that they dont want to try it.

Like the author, I never got to try the food my grandpa cooked. For some reason it bums me out a little. I wish I could get together with all of my family and share something that brought us all together. Instead my family is split now and I get to see a few here and there. I havent thought about it for a while but this story has reminded me of the stories ive heard, and makes me want to go to Chicago as soon as I can and see my family.